WATERBURY -- Naugatuck High's Lexi Alves is a handful. Saturday the senior striker scored two first-half goals two minutes apart to lead the Greyhounds to the NVL Copper Division girls soccer title with a 2-0 victory over Holy Cross.

Naugy (9-5) and Cross (9-6) have both found their games just as tournament time arrives. The Greyhounds have won seven of eight Naugatuck Valley League games, and the Crusaders, who can have six freshmen and sophomores on the field, won six straight in the league before Saturday.

This game featured two teams going in the right direction at the right time.

"We came out flat, maybe, expecting more," Alves said of the uneven results this season. "We had a reality check coming back."

Naugy's reality looks good now. Alves scored in the 25th minute when she was sent away on a pass by impressive freshman Kyla Magalhaes. Then Angelina Piccirillo did the same with a deft through pass.

Both times Alves, who scored career goals 48 and 49, was sent in cold on Cross keeper Michelina Gagliardi (13 saves).

Two minutes. Two shots. Two goals.

"She's very talented," said Cross sweeper Keili Sullivan. "You have to stay next to her. She's quick."

Cross had its moments. In the opening five minutes, sophomore striker Kylie Rice got behind the Naugatuck defense twice, but Baranowski made the stops. It was a crisp first 20 minutes for the Crusaders.

"We're working on our possession (game)," Sullivan said. "I think that's key to playing in the NVL right now."

The NVL tournament begins next Saturday. Naugatuck and Cross have played their way into the title discussion.

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